1995 ADJ MIN JAN 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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flexibility to grant additional time to any person wishing to be heard. Mr. "Rocky" Fredrickson, read from City Manager Martinez' memorandum of December 19, 1994, "In the event the $3.8 million dollar 'one time, revenue does occur by June 30th, it could be applied to the deficit fund balance shown in our 1993/94 audited financial report." He indicated that the Rancho Mediterrania land is worth more than $8 million. Mr. Fredrickson said that either the City is holding title or it is not. He said he was told that 141 mobile homes were already going through escrow. He charged that somebody is a liar; somebody says the money is there and someone else says the money is not there. Mayor Fulp said that the Council directed the City Manager to bring a picture window regarding month to month expenditures vs. revenues, at mid -year. Council directed that revenues be updated mid -year to give Council a new look. Today, the City Manager will present a one-half year of revenues vs. expenditures. Mr. Malik Freeman, 1940 Sosa, said the City is in a state of denial. The City needs to determine who the customer is. It is irresponsible to ignore the problem; the problem must be addressed even if it means employee layoffs. Mr. George Aguilar, Chairman of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, said he was born here and was proud that his family has lived in Colton for 90 years. He asked what the Council is doing to generate more income, to promote business. The City needs to bring in more industry. He expressed respect for each member of the Council; however, he believed they were losing income through their negativism. He suggested they instill a positive image in order to attract businesses; let people know this is a good town to conduct business in and to live in. Having dealt in real estate, he said that the mobile home park was real estate and should be considered an asset and not a debt. He questioned if the City was collecting rent or was it leasing. Certainly, people were not there for free. The City collects electric/water billing, it can convert some of that money. He suggested that if the City needed $3.8 million, that it borrow the money from Electric Department and it can carry the paper. Mr. Aguilar strongly urged the City to go back to its consultants for cuts on their service contracts. He said he had done this when his Agency's budget was short. He had asked their consultants to cut 10% from their contracts, reminding them that they had earned good money from the agency. The consultants agreed to do so. Mr. Aguilar volunteered to provide free engineering services and he challenged other consultants to the City to do the same. He declared that the budget deficit is not just a City Council problem it is our problem. 5 JAN 21 1995